England 1-0 Australia: Ollie Watkins scores winner as Three Lions edge past Socceroos at Wembley

Ollie Watkins seized his England chance by converting a close-range goal as Gareth Southgate’s much-changed side worked to a 1-0 win over Australia – although the visitors rued a string of missed chances at Wembley.

Watkins had hit the post in the first half, but produced the vital touch to divert Jack Grealish’s shot into the net in the 57th minute and finally allow the hosts who had struggled until then to break through.

With Callum Wilson injured and the in-form Watkins given the nod ahead of Eddie Nketiah, the Aston Villa striker made his case to be Harry Kane’s first-choice understudy with an impressive performance, capped by his third goal for his country.

It was his first appearance since scoring against Ivory Coast in March 2022, but he was a regular threat beyond the Australian defence.

Lewis Dunk also added to his reputation by pulling off a brilliant goal block to deny Ryan Strain late in the first half, while Sam Johnstone caught the eye with a sharp save from Keanu Baccus’s deflected strike.

But Southgate may not have learned much more, with his combination of fringe players and youngsters lacking fluidity and looking vulnerable against a flood of second-half substitutes. Connor Metcalfe’s header against the post from a late corner almost cost England victory.

Of course, England’s real priority in this international window is Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy at Wembley, where they can secure a place in Germany next summer if Ukraine do not fails to beat North Macedonia on Saturday.

There will be plenty of changes for this game, with first-team regulars returning – and they will need to be much better than their replacements were on Friday night.

How England won…

Australia – facing England at Wembley for the first time – were boosted by Southgate’s decision to shake up his selection, a move which leveled a match the hosts should generally have dominated.

There was a big chance early on from Conor Gallagher’s pullback which Watkins and James Maddison almost converted and Watkins hit the far post later in the half after rounding Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan. But it was the visitors who were wondering how they couldn’t get into the breakaway.

England needed Johnstone to make a full save from Baccus’s deflected shot before Mitch Duke and Kye Rowles let their hosts off the hook.

Debutants Levi Colwill and Baccus went into the book for a few scrambles and Gallagher was shown a yellow for a lunge moments later as the contest’s temperature rose, but Australia carried plenty of blows with the ball. When Martin Boyle broke away from Colwill to throw Strain, only a diving block from Dunk denied the Australians the opener.

England had only one shot on target in the first 45, but Grealish’s cross from Alexander-Arnold’s switch finally allowed Watkins to find the net and provide some relief to the home team.

The threat of a repeat of Australia’s victory over England 20 years ago at Upton Park had been averted, but with a series of changes for both teams after the goal there was no real control from the home team – and they were grateful to see Metcalfe take the lead. against the woodwork with 10 minutes to go.

When the final whistle blew, many England supporters had already headed for the exits. It was not a classic, and attention will quickly shift to Tuesday evening and Italy.

Southgate: We saw a lot of things we knew; really difficult for players

England boss Gareth Southgate to Channel 4: “We made a lot of changes, which made it really difficult for the players. It’s difficult to play international football when you don’t have a lot of caps behind you. We weren’t consistent, I told them gave a really tough challenge. Australia They were good, athletic and well organized. I’m happy with this victory after putting them in this position.

“We had two starts, very happy with Ollie Watkins. There were some positives, we know we can play better but it was difficult for the players. We saw a lot of things we knew. You have to give players the opportunity in this scene.

“We were too narrow in defense when we were building. Our biggest joy was putting the ball at the feet of our wingers and going in from there.

“In some positions we have great depth and in others we don’t. We have to constantly keep looking. We have an under-21 team that is playing very well. We need that competition for places and of course , there are senior players who are injured.”

Watkins: I wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity

Englishman Ollie Watkins on Channel 4: “It’s always an honor to wear this shirt. This has been a long time coming. I’ve been waiting a long time for the next call. I was looking forward to it and I wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass me by.

“Jack went to shoot and he dragged it. I didn’t know if it was going to go in, at first I thought it was going to go in and I took it off him. I was looking at him and I was like ‘I don’t don’t know if it was going in’.

“I play with the best players, I knew I would get another chance. There were several times before I got called up and I didn’t think I deserved it, but now I have confidence in myself thanks to my good form. “I wasn’t nervous and just tried to play in front of all these fans. I scored, it was a good evening. “

Australia’s view: Proud of defeat to ‘world-class’ England

René Meulensteen, assistant coach of Australia: “It’s one of those defeats where you can be really proud of the performance. We played against a strong nation who have a big game against Italy coming up, but they can field two world-class teams .If you look at the leagues they play in and where we come from…we were well organized, the players played with courage when we could and we could have scored two goals.

And after?

England will get a place at Euro 2024 if Ukraine And North Macedonia draw on Saturday and England beat Italy at Wembley on Tuesday; kick-off at 7:45 p.m.

A defeat for Ukraine would mean just one point for Gareth Southgate’s men against Italy.

But England know they’ll pretty much be home if they beat the Italians anyway, given Italy, Ukraine and North Macedonia all have to face each other again – meaning it is unlikely that two of the pursuers will be able to catch up. them.